We're not architects, we're not historians and we don't know much about anything. However we do like modern houses and Christchurch is a great place for them.
If you know of a house that deserves a mention please let us know. If we've made a mistake, do the same. If you like the site, tell your friends. If you hate the site, tell your friends you like it anyway. It's a minor white lie that anyone would forgive.

Stored amongst a bunch of relocated state houses out by Christucrh Airport sits this martian relic from the early 70s. Finnish architect Matti Suuronen designed this UFO shaped dwelling in 1968, initially for use as a ski-cabin or holiday home. Only 96 were ever made and production ceased in 1974 as the oil crisis pushed up the price of plastic.

The idea behind the design reflects the optimism of the sixties. At the time people believed technology could solve all problems for the human race. The ideal was of a new era, a space-age, where everybody would have more leisure time to spend on holidays away from home.

The Futuro house was completely furnished and could accommodate 8 people. It was constructed entirely out of reinforced plastic, a new, light and inexpensive material back then. The plan was to mass-produce it, so it would be cheap enough to house all people around the earth. Because it was so light-weight, it was easily transportable by helicopter. Mobile living was the new possibility for the future. People could now take their moveable home with them, to wherever they went, and live like modern nomads.

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 19th, 2008 at 4:42 pm and is filed under 60s. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

I know there are most likely patents and so on, but could we not produce something similar in the wake of the September and February earthquakes for people who are looking at rebuilding and need accomodation. I love the concept and would love to use one on site while we rebuilt. Heck, I would love to live in one permanently (if I didn’t have a husband and three boys!). I love your website by the way and have found great inspiration from it. Thanks.